Update: abdominal tuberculosis--unusual findings on CT.

To update our knowledge of abdominal tuberculosis as manifested on computed tomography (CT), we reviewed the CT scans of 12 patients with proven abdominal tuberculosis. The nature, range and extent of abdominal involvement was determined. The CT findings were compared to those reported in the literature. The aetiologic agent was Mycobacterium tuberculosis in all patients. One patient had an increased risk because of AIDS. In nine patients, tuberculosis was limited to the abdomen, and three patients had previously unknown thoracic tuberculous disease. Characteristic features in our patients included low density ascites and uncommon patterns of adenopathy. Findings reported to be typical in abdominal tuberculosis were present in only five of our 12 patients. Unusual findings in our patients included solitary and multiple pelvic, adrenal, splenic and hepatic lesions. In six of 12 patients, those findings mimicked malignancy. We conclude that knowledge and early recognition of these unusual manifestations of abdominal tuberculosis should help to optimize clinical management of the disease and avoid misdiagnosis.